Cesareo Lazaro Rodil
Better known as “Papi”, was 94-year-old when he passed away. He was living in Mesa, Arizona – died at Friendship Village Hospice Home, after suffering a major stroke on Thursday afternoon, April 27, 2017. He was then sent to ICU where he spent 2 ½ days undergoing tests, then was sent to the Hospice Home where he passed away without ever waking up after his stroke. He died on Tuesday, May 2nd, 2017 at 10:40 am.
Papi was born in Havana, Cuba 1922. Was married to Ondina Varona Rodil for 67 years. He left Cuba in February 1962 to provide a better life for his family instead of one in Communist Cuba under Fidel Castro. He had been retired since the age of 65 as a cabinet maker at BP Johns Furnisher. Papi and his family lived in Miami Florida after leaving Cuba in 1962 and stayed for one year, after which he found solid employment at the Ford Motor Company in Detroit Michigan where he and his family lived for 7 years. He then took his family on a permanent cross-country trip West, to Santa Ana, California in 1969 where he started to work for a motorhome company building their cabinets. He finally settled in Mesa Arizona in 1989 where was until his death.
Papi loved boating above all other forms of recreation, but also enjoyed his retirement traveling in his fifth wheel travel trailer. He also enjoyed traveling to Puerto Rico to visit relatives and reminisce the days in Cuba because of the similarity in their climates. Papi found time to participate in his children activities that included surfing and motorcycle racing. He would combine those things he loved; boating and camping, supporting his children’s activities.
Papi wasn’t a zealous man but did go to Catholic masses regularly with his wife and daughter. A good example of the type of man Papi was; when they moved to Mesa Arizona they bought a lot in a Mobile Home Park for Seniors. They had a single wide trailer put on the property, but that soon was not big enough, once you had guests coming by and such. So, he drafted up a plan to build an “Arizona” room with an extra half-bath, laundry room and storage facility. He completed the project and it was a magnificent undertaking. When I asked to see his plans, he just looked at me with quizzical look and said his plan was all in his head. Amazing feat indeed that was.
Papi is survived by; his spouse, Ondina Varona Rodil, 92; his oldest son, Cesar Antonio Rodil, 62, living in Alta Loma, California; his second son, Alfredo Ramon Rodil, 61, living in Mesa, Arizona; his daughter, Suzette Barbara Anderson, 55, living Mesa, Arizona. His grandchildren:
Jennifer Kealoha, 39, living in Bremerton, Washington
Jacob Rodil, 36, living in Bremerton, Washington
Cesar Antonio Rodil Jr, 30, living in Phoenix, Arizona
Anna Wava Rodil, 28, living in Altadena, California, and
Alex Anderson, 25, living in Mesa, Arizona
Papi has four great-grandchildren, and no other living siblings.
Flowers can be sent to Christ The King Catholic Church at 1551 E. Dana Ave. Mesa, AZ 85204, and/or Mountain View Funeral Home & Cemetery at 7900 E. Main St., Mesa, AZ 85207 and contributions to the widow to help with funeral arrangements at: Ondina Rodil, 7750 E. Broadway – Space 746, Mesa, AZ 85208.
Service Details
Viewing will be held on May 18th at Mountain View Funeral Home & Cemetery 7900 E. Main St. Mesa, AZ from 5-8 pm in the chapel. At that time, whomever would like to say a few words may do so
Funeral mass on May 19th starting at 11 am, at Christ The King Catholic Church 1551 E. Dana Ave Mesa, AZ 85204 performed by Father Rowland and Deacon Ron. Pallbearers will be; Cesar Rodil, Alfredo Rodil, Alex Anderson, Cesar Jr.(CJ) Rodil, Juan Zarate & Alfredo Zarate
Entombment will be at Mountain View Funeral Home & Cemetery 7900 E. Main St. Mesa, AZ at 1pm
A reception will be held at Carriage Manor 7750 E. Broadway Rd., Mesa, AZ 85208 in the Club House at the Social Room from 2-5 pm
Shane Mullin the funeral director and Clint Fontaine family/cemetery counselor at Mountain View Funeral Home & Cemetery 7900 E. Main St., Mesa, AZ 85207